Resonant cavity enhanced (RCE) interband cascade (IC) photovoltaic (PV) device
US11569403B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/544
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A PV device comprises a first mirror comprising a reflectance of higher than 50%; a second mirror interface; and an optical cavity positioned between the first mirror and the second mirror interface and comprising at least one IC stage. Each of the at least one IC stage comprises a conduction band; a valence band; a hole barrier comprising a first band gap; an absorption region coupled to the hole barrier, comprising a second band gap that is less than the first band gap, and configured to absorb photons; and an electron barrier coupled to the absorption region so that the absorption region is positioned between the hole barrier and the electron barrier. The electron barrier comprises a third band gap that is greater than the second band gap. The PV device is configured to operate at a forward bias voltage with a net photon absorption for generating an electric output.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.